Kierstyn's Dance Openhouse

This week Kierstyn's dance class had an openhouse, so the parents were invited to come in and watch what the class has learned so far. Kierstyn was really excited about having her dad there. The class demonstrated different steps they have learned in both jazz and tap. Then they did 2 short dances one jazz and one tap. It has been fun to watch her grow and develop over the past year and she is really looking forward to the recital this year!

Happy Birthday Blake!

Today is Blake's Birthday! I tried to get him to tell me what he wanted to do or what kind of cake he wanted, but he wouldn't say a word. So the kids and I surprised him by celebrating yesterday.The kids picked out the cake they wanted me to make and we had a little party for family home evening. We planned a second little surprise and left him a treat in his car today. So Happy Birthday, Blake!

California Trip

Our family was lucky enough to be able to all go to Disneyland together. And I mean all of us. There was 19 of us in all and just my youngest nephew was missing. We had a great time! Take a peak.

However, there are a few hazards of touring Disneyland with 19 people. I think the agenda went something like this, ride a ride, bathroom break, ride a ride bathroom break, ride a ride, bathroom break, lunch, bathroom break, ride a ride, bathroom break, ride a ride, bathroom break, dinner. Okay maybe thats an exaggeration but it sure seemed like we took alot of bathroom breaks.

Before Disneyland, Blake & I with my parents and brother, Troy; went to Sea World and San Diego Zoo. The weather was perfect, couldn't ask for better. It was alot of fun and we hope we can make it back this year.

The Polar Express

We decided to go on a new adventure this year and go on the Polar Express. We went on the Grand Canyon Railway which leaves from Williams, Arizona. I made the reservations clear back in August and even then all the weekends were full except the day after Christmas, so thats when we went. Even though it is only an hours train ride, it was alot of fun. The train car was all decorated and they serve cookies and hot chocolate. They read the story the Polar Express as we went through a "time warp" tunnel on the way to the North Pole. The North Pole was a small village all lit with Christmas lights and Santa was there on his sleigh waving at the train. As the train started to head back, Santa hopped on the train. He handed each child a silver bell. The kids thought it was great.



The only draw back was for whatever reason I did something to my back while we were there and could barely walk. It took me a couple of days to get back to normal, hence wasting holiday break from school to get other things done. O'well.

Our Christmas

Time really does fly through the holidays, and I haven't had time to post pictures yet so I'm backtracking a bit. Kierstyn & Ben were really excited about Santa coming to our house. And this was them on Christmas Eve playing Santa's elves!! We played a couple of games on Christmas Eve and Kierstyn still asks if we can play them again, so I think they had alot of fun.



Christmas morning at our house was a bit anticlimatic. Blake & I decided to get us a new tv so we already knew what were getting. The kids biggest gifts (a trip to Disneyland & a playset) weren't tangible on Christmas morning so they were more excited about the cheap little toys in their stocking. Blake spent most of the day putting together the playset and it was nice to just stay home and enjoy our two wonderful kids. Here's a few pictures . . .







Hope everyone had a great Christmas!!!!

3rd week of Christmas

This last week was busy but not with alot of fun stuff. Blake's flight coming home from his brother's graduation was delayed so we ended up picking him up at 2:30am on Monday morning, which made for a very hard day as everyone was tired. The very next day Blake took a quick business trip to Atlanta and was gone for 2 days. I finished up Christmas shopping and Kierstyn had her last few days of school before the Christmas break.
















Her school also had a big Holiday Party which was also their big fundraiser. We didn't stay too long but long enough for Kierstyn to sing "I Want a Hippotamus for Christmas" with her class. This is a picture of her by her art work that was being auctioned off.


















After the school party we went with some friends to look at the Christmas lights at Ethel M. Chocolate Factory. Then we went to look at a street in Henderson that was all decorated and was amazing. The kids were pretty tired by then so we plan to go back and look some more.






On Saturday we took the kids to the Bass Pro Shop. We did all their little activities, saw the fish, sat on the 4 wheelers, and looked at the boats. I asked the kids if they wanted to go see Santa and both said no. Which was fine by me since I didn't want to wait in the line to see him.

2nd week of Christmas

The second week of December has come and gone. Here's what we have been doing this week.

Kierstyn & Bentley painted some Christmas tree ornaments to give to some special grandparents!!!




We decorated gingerbread houses with some friends!


And something that we have done the past 2 years, we went to the annual Winterfest parade in downtown Henderson. This year we went without Blake who was attending his brother's graduation. Congratulations Casey!


Kierstyn & Bentley's favorite activity is riding the horses.




They also liked playing in the snow, a novelty here in Henderson.



And looking through the craft fair. We found this cute hat for Kierstyn and Ben wanted a snake (Yeah he's all boy!)


Looking forward to the 3rd week of Christmas!!!!!